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Rename Red Fort, not Victoria Memorial, after Netaji: Grand-nephew

Modi will start year-long celebration marking Netaji's birth anniversary tomorrow

Netaji-Birth-Anniversary5 West Bengal government will celebrate Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's birth anniversary on January 23 as Desh Nayak Diwas and has organised various events in Kolkata | Salil Bera

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to start the year-long celebration marking the birth anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose tomorrow. Many are looking forward to the events—both at National Library and Victoria Memorial Hall—with great enthusiasm.

The programme takes place in the midst of intense political campaigning in West Bengal. Both Modi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would be present on the occasion. The Left and Congress leaders have also been invited. In fact, former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee is part of the high level committee to celebrate the year-long celebration chaired by prime minister himself. Many are speculating that there would be some big announcements by Modi—even changing the name of the iconic Victoria Memorial to Netaji Subhas Chandra Memorial.

Chandra Kumar Bose, Netaji's grandnephew, told THE WEEK: “Our family does not approve the changing of name in order to change the history. Victoria Memorial is part of the British history in India. You cannot suddenly obliterate 200 years of British rule from our history one fine morning.”

Changing names of monuments and streets is an age-old affair. While the Left and TMC did it in Bengal, the BJP has been doing it regularly in the states they are in power.

Bose said Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee, once suggested that Red Fort should be changed to Netaji fort.

“Mookerjee’s followers today may consider his suggestion as Red Fort means a lot for Bose's followers and INA soldiers,” he said. Red Fort was witness to several famous INA trials.

Netaji's family says that more than renaming anything or unveiling a statue of Netaji, the Union government would do better to include his ideas in governance and in text books.

“The courage and valour of the man is well known. There is no need to repeat it. But what Indians must know are the inclusive ideas of Netaji, which is much more relevant. In fact, I would say it is much more relevant than the ideas of Gandhi. That is our family's request,” said Bose.

“There is no need to deface Nehru to worship Netaji. No need to belittle Gandhi to reward Netaji. But we all want that the Centre should study the formation of INA and how it was managed. It were the inclusive ideas from all caste, creed and religion which Netaji not only talked about but showed India through INA,” Bose said.

He said West Bengal is passing through tough times, politically and socially.

“We must save Bengal at this hour of crisis. More and more inclusion of Netaji’s ideas about India, in text books is needed. Indian polity must embrace the inclusiveness of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. That would be a fitting tribute to this man on his 125th birth anniversary,” he said.

Banerjee will lead a rally from Shyambazar in north Kolkata, where the 51-year-old statue of Netaji stands.

Modi's programme in Victoria Memorial will witness several cultural programmes, including those by Usha Uthup and Assamese singer Papon.

The PM does not have any political events scheduled tomorrow in Kolkata and is expected to leave for Delhi shortly after watching the programme.

“The fight would be kept in store for later. He would hit the political ground after the poll is announced. Not before that,” said a senior BJP leader in the state.

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